| 471 | 472 | 473 | 474 | 475 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
that what she had expected to be taxed with, in connection with her
small servant, was something very different from this.
'Come, come, Miss Brass,' said the Notary, 'you have great command
of feature, but you feel, I see, that by a chance which never entered
your imagination, this base design is revealed, and two of its plotters
must be brought to justice. Now, you know the pains and penalties
you are liable to, and so I need not dilate upon them, but I have a
proposal to make to you. You have the honour of being sister to one of
the greatest scoundrels unhung; and, if I may venture to say so to a
lady, you are in every respect quite worthy of him. But connected with
you two is a third party, a villain of the name of Quilp, the prime
mover of the whole diabolical device, who I believe to be worse than
either. For his sake, Miss Brass, do us the favour to reveal the whole
history of this affair. Let me remind you that your doing so, at our
instance, will place you in a safe and comfortable position - your
present one is not desirable - and cannot injure your brother; for
against him and you we have quite sufficient evidence (as you hear)
already. I will not say to you that we suggest this course in mercy (for,
to tell you the truth, we do not entertain any regard for you), but it is
a necessity to which we are reduced, and I recommend it to you as a
matter of the very best policy. Time,' said Mr Witherden, pulling out
his watch, 'in a business like this, is exceedingly precious. Favour us
with your decision as speedily as possible, ma'am.'
With a smile upon her face, and looking at each of the three by turns,
Miss Brass took two or three more pinches of snuff, and having by
this time very little left, travelled round and round the box with her
forefinger and thumb, scraping up another. Having disposed of this
likewise and put the box carefully in her pocket, she said, -
'
I am to accept or reject at once, am I?'
Yes,' said Mr Witherden.
'
The charming creature was opening her lips to speak in reply, when
the door was hastily opened too, and the head of Sampson Brass was
thrust into the room.
'Excuse me,' said the gentleman hastily. 'Wait a bit!'
So saying, and quite indifferent to the astonishment his presence
occasioned, he crept in, shut the door, kissed his greasy glove as
servilely as if it were the dust, and made a most abject bow.
'Sarah,' said Brass, 'hold your tongue if you please, and let me speak.
Gentlemen, if I could express the pleasure it gives me to see three
such men in a happy unity of feeling and concord of sentiment, I think
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